New Century scholarships -- High school requirements.
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(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the board may not accept a new application for a scholarship described in this section on or after August 15, 2021.
(2) As used in this section:
(a) "Complete the requirements for an associate degree" means that a student:
(i)
(A) completes all the required courses for an associate degree from a higher education institution within the state system of higher education that offers associate degrees; and
(B) applies for the associate degree from the institution; or
(ii) completes equivalent requirements described in Subsection (2)(a)(i)(A) from a higher education institution within the state system of higher education that offers baccalaureate degrees but does not offer associate degrees.
(b) "Fee" means a fee approved by the board.
(3)
(a) The board shall award New Century scholarships.
(b) The board shall develop and approve the math and science curriculum described under Subsection (4)(a)(ii).
(4)
(a) In order to qualify for a New Century scholarship, a student in Utah schools shall complete the requirements for an:
(i) associate degree; or
(ii) approved math and science curriculum.
(b) The requirements under Subsection (4)(a) shall be completed:
(i) by the day on which the student's class graduates from high school; and
(ii) with at least a 3.0 grade point average.
(c) In addition to the requirements in Subsection (4)(a), a student in Utah shall:
(i) complete the high school graduation requirements of:
(A) a public high school established by the State Board of Education and the student's school district or charter school; or
(B) a private high school in the state that is accredited by a regional accrediting body approved by the board; and
(ii) complete high school with at least a 3.5 cumulative high school grade point average.
(5) Notwithstanding Subsection (4), for a student who does not receive a high school grade point average, the student shall:
(a) complete the requirements for an associate degree:
(i) by June 15 of the year the student completes high school; and
(ii) with at least a 3.0 grade point average; and
(b) score a composite ACT score of 26 or higher.
(6)
(a) To be eligible for the scholarship, a student:
(i) shall submit an application to the board with:
(A) an official college transcript showing college courses the student has completed to complete the requirements for an associate degree; and
(B) if applicable, an official high school transcript or, if applicable, a copy of the student's ACT scores;
(ii) shall be a citizen of the United States or a noncitizen who is eligible to receive federal student aid;
(iii) if applicable, shall meet the application deadlines as established by the board under Subsection (11); and
(iv) shall demonstrate, in accordance with rules described in Subsection (6)(b), the completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
(b) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the board shall make rules regarding the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid described in Subsection (6)(a)(iv), including:
(i) provisions for students or parents to opt out of the requirement due to:
(A) financial ineligibility for any potential grant or other financial aid;
(B) personal privacy concerns; or
(C) other reasons the board specifies; and
(ii) direction for applicants to financial aid advisors.
(7)
(a) The scholarship may be used at a:
(i) higher education institution within the state system of higher education that offers baccalaureate programs; or
(ii) if the scholarship holder applies for the scholarship on or before October 1, 2019, private, nonprofit college or university in the state accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges that offers baccalaureate programs.
(b)
(i) Subject to Subsection (7)(e), the total value of the scholarship is up to $5,000, allocated over a time period described in Subsection (7)(c), as prescribed by the board.
(ii) The board may increase the scholarship amount described in Subsection (7)(b)(i) by an amount not to exceed the average percentage tuition increase approved by the board for institutions in the state system of higher education.
(c) The scholarship is valid for the shortest of the following time periods:
(i) two years of full-time equivalent enrollment;
(ii) 60 credit hours; or
(iii) until the student meets the requirements for a baccalaureate degree.
(d)
(i) A scholarship holder shall enroll full-time at a higher education institution by no later than the fall term immediately following the student's high school graduation date or receive an approved deferral from the board.
(ii) The board may grant a deferral or leave of absence to a scholarship holder, but the scholarship holder may only receive scholarship money within five years of the student's high school graduation date.
(e) For a scholarship for which a student applies after October 1, 2019:
(i) the board shall reduce the amount of the scholarship holder's scholarship so that the total amount of state aid awarded to the scholarship holder, including tuition or fee waivers or the scholarship, does not exceed the cost of the scholarship holder's tuition and fees; and
(ii) the scholarship holder may only use the scholarship for tuition and fees.
(8) The board may cancel a New Century scholarship at any time if the student fails to:
(a) register for at least 15 credit hours per semester;
(b) maintain a 3.3 grade point average for two consecutive semesters; or
(c) make reasonable progress toward the completion of a baccalaureate degree.
(9)
(a) Subject to future budget constraints, the Legislature shall make an annual appropriation from the General Fund to the board for the costs associated with the New Century Scholarship Program authorized under this section.
(b) It is understood that the appropriation is offset in part by the state money that would otherwise be required and appropriated for these students if they were enrolled in a four-year postsecondary program at a state-operated institution.
(c) Notwithstanding Subsections (3)(a) and (7), if the appropriation under Subsection (9)(a) is insufficient to cover the costs associated with the New Century Scholarship Program, the board may reduce the scholarship amount.
(d) If money appropriated under this section is available after New Century scholarships are awarded, the board shall use the money for the Access Utah Promise Scholarship Program created in Section 53B-8-302.
(10)
(a) The board shall adopt policies establishing an application process and an appeal process for a New Century scholarship.
(b) The board shall disclose on all applications and related materials that the amount of the scholarship is subject to funding and may be reduced, in accordance with Subsection (9)(c).
(c) The board shall require an applicant for a New Century scholarship to certify under penalty of perjury that:
(i) the applicant is a United States citizen; or
(ii) the applicant is a noncitizen who is eligible to receive federal student aid.
(d) The certification under this Subsection (10) shall include a statement advising the signer that providing false information subjects the signer to penalties for perjury.
(11) The board may set deadlines for receiving New Century scholarship applications and supporting documentation.
(12) A student may not receive both a New Century scholarship and an Opportunity scholarship established in Part 2, Opportunity Scholarship Program.